www.iFourWinns.com

I purchased a 2006 H 260 new in May of 2007. I have 115 hours on the boat and only use in fresh water. On labor day we were cruising at 3000 RPM's and we heard a clank clank. Immediatley shutting down the motor we called vessel assist for a tow. My mechanic called today and said I had broken a valve spring and rocker arm. The spark plug looked fine but he would need to pull the head and send it to a machine shop. I must say this is a total surprise! With only 115 hours on the boat and this boat has been maticulously serviced and stored indoors since new. Has anyone heard of the 8.1's having valve train problems. I am 4 months out of warranty and the dealer in Sacramento I purchased the boat from is out of business? Volvo Penta told my mechanic no coverage but I think they should help!

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2006 260 Horizon 8.1 Volvo DP
2007 Tahoe LT

The VP 8.1 is a solid motor. That should not have happened.

However, warranties do have expiration dates... and with the dealer out of business, you may have to bust open the pocketbook.

VP has a customer service line - try it... see if you get anywhere. I had an EVC sensor go bad on my 318 and tried to get vp to pay for the haul out of my boat - and they shut that down.

If your mechanic can determine the cause to being a defective part rather than a lack of oil or some other failure... you may have a shot. Be nice - it'll get you farther than being a jerk when you call.

Good luck...

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Valve train failures on BB (and SB) Chevs are indeed rare... Sounds like the spring broke first to me (have seen this rarely on drag race motors I have worked on with very high spring pressures and big cams), and the rocker arm flopped around in there. Sounds like the valve guide or seat may be damaged (hence the need to remove the head for machining).

Hopefully the valve has not dropped and 'kissed' a piston (probably bent first) - good job you caught it quickly. Root cause will probably be a failure in the valve spring material - somtimes you get sort of a grain in the steel and they break along this. I think the best you could expect from Volvo out of warranty is the replacement parts for free, not the labor. Parts would come to less than $300 I would imagine (valve, spring, rocker, head and manifold gaskets).

Like Cougar says, be nice to VP - you'll always get more bees with honey than crap!

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Sorry to hear what happened. Valve train failure on Big Brock GM Sorry to hear what happened. Valve train failure on Big Brock GM (stock/unmodified engine) is very very rare and it should not happen. I have seen once on a friend’s motor home although. Broken outer spring, rocker arm and bent push rod. In his case, surprisingly enough that the valve was not bent and no damage to the valve seal either so it did not need to take a cylinder head off to replace valve spring and retainer. You might want to double check with your mechanic that the valve is really damaged and they need to take a head off.
+1 to be nice to Volvo. However you should write/e-mail a letter to them how you are not satisfied with their product…. A chance is small since it is off the warranty but they might willing to help you on the situation.

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I appreciate your responnse and advise! My mechanic said he estimates the piston to be good since the spark plug is in good condition. I am a VP of Sales and Marketing for a door and window company so I completely understand how to approach a company with a product complaint. The head comes off today so I am going to take a few pictures to go with my letter to VP. A picture always is attached when one of our twelve sales reps does a jobsite inspection and it really helps illustrate to defect and the magnitude.

Thanks again!

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2006 260 Horizon 8.1 Volvo DP
2007 Tahoe LT